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Creating A Website/Ecommerce Site

Here is my advice:

  1. Always buy your domain names yourself.
  2. Never purchase hosting or use a web designer who will not give you a Content Management Program (CMS). CMS looks something like MS Word. With a click, you'll be able to add words, photos, etc. to the body of your pages. This feature will make your life easier.
  3. Like my advise? Brand new to the Internet? Learn how you can create a Website in 48 hours for less than $125 a year. click here.
  4. Do not create a website if you don't have a way to capture email addresses. Add an ezine, ecourse, free report, something to capture those who visit your site's email addresses.
  5. Visit Web Pages That Suck to find out what horrible websites look like.

What's On This Page

If it has to do with ecommerce or web marketing, you will find it on this page. From creating a website, to your newsletter, to blogs, forums, search engine marketing, etc. It is ALL here.

How Important is Your Computer?

We use this inexpensive program to back up our documents daily onto the web Mozy Unlimited Backup

Tutorials

Creating Your First Website

  • Help! I want to create my first website, now what do I do? eWorkbook by Maria Marsala
  • BarCharts Products I recommend the HTML Guide to help you remember the most important codes you'll use on your website.
  • Check with your hosting company to see if they offer a Wizard, which will help you create your site. However, know what if you don't understand a bit about web sites, you may end up creating an unprofessional or old looking site.
  • Web Site ToolKit What to put on each page of your website
  • Web designers use a program called Dreamweaver. You may have to take a class or two to "get it"
  • Frontpage is easier to use then dreamweaver, if you are creating a first site and have it on your computer.
  • Consider purchasing a template already created for your first site.
  • Consider asking a web designer to create a template for you.
  • I use this free text editor http://www.chami.com
  • Here is another one, I've used this one to create forms http://www.arachnoid.com/

Web Designers

  • Many hosting programs come with content management systems or wizards or site builders. It's a good beginning web site. Just make sure it's professional looking. The hosting company I use has a very, very good program called site builder. Click here to view it.
  • RentACoder.com
  • Guru.com
  • Elance.com

Templates

A template is a low cost way to create a first website. You'll pay for the layout, graphics, links. You add the words and links, etc. In some but not all cases, they allow you to change the graphics and colors. Also consider using these pages to help you with ideas on what you'd like. That will make working with a web designer more affordable to most small business owners.

Use these higher quality resources to find a template for professional looking web sites!

Web Copy/Content Writers

Remember.... cheap is not always the wisest way to go. Look for quality when choosing a contractor.

Domain Names

GoDaddy.com - World's #1 Domain Name Registrar

Hosting: Content Management Programs (CMS)

CMS allows non-technical users to easily update the content and pictures in the body of their web sites. The CMS screen usually looks like a Word or other document file. Check with your hosting program to see if this feature is included in your monthly payment already.

Hosting

Most web developers have their favorite hosting company, however, you don't have to use their company in order to hire the designer. You can choose your own service. All the services listed below come with 24/7 email and/or online help system assistance. Each of these companies offer different options for starting or building a web presence for your business. The top few companies offer CMS programs, however, always double check before purchasing any system.

Look ahead. If you need a company that will grow with you, consider that a feature in purchasing a host. If your goal is to have a gigantic email list, consider that when you're buying, too.

  • Microsoft® Office Live Small BusinessFirst year free, Not fancy, second year at $15, ezine and other add'ons are an extra fee. If you have a domain name already, then it's $15 the first year, too.
  • I have used many hosting companies, including one that is very inexpensive called ThirdSphere because they had a build in ecommerce program that included a shopping cart, affiliate program and more. The hosting is good. The ecommerce program isn't and because you don't get your own IP, many of your emails are going to bounce. No phone help.
  • HostGator I used this one which allows you to add as many domain names to it as you have space; a big cost savings if you're going to have more than one website.. Get your own IP am using this one, which is $2 per month. Con: If your ezine/mailing list is more than 900 names, you may only send email between 1am and 8am and you may not have lists over 5000 names.
  • My next choice for hosting. The business edition comes with an auto reponder program which usually costs a minimum of $19.99 per month.
  • GoDaddy.com Hosting from $3.95/mo. Good system to grow with if you have 1 website
  • Free Website with Fun Pic Very basic. Good for a personal site.
  • $13 per month, Internet Marketing Package with fewer perks then the next package. Has 800# for contact.
  • $9.95 per month start-up site.
    Has both long distance and Toll Free number.
  • $25 per year for a start-up site and upgrades to help you grow. (Ya, I know it says -0-, it's really $25)
    www.doteasy.com

Help! I Want A Web Site - by Maria Marsala

Help! I Want A Web Site Now What Do I Do Next?
Helping You Save Yourself Time, Money and Headaches by Learning What To Do (and Not To Do) Next.

This jam packed ebook is full of the best information, definitions, recommendations, resources, book ideas, links to excellent articles, and even pricing ideas I could write about and find! It helps business owners who knows -0- about web sites, yet you want a web site!

view more

Affiliate Programs

I don't use all of the programs below. However, I've done research and here is my opinion. Many hosting companies come with Fantastico. What that allows you to do is click on a link and then you have wordpress on your site OR a shopping cart called Zen or OsCommerce, etc. Good system to have if you don't know how to code websites.

Shopping Carts

Click here for merchant account and shopping cart resources.

AutoResponders vs. Ezine

The difference between an ezine and auto responder program is this. Ezine usually you send one message out at a time. A few companies allow you to schedule a message or two to go out when you want, although not usually, but check with the company you're looking for. If you're paying for an ESP, you maybe paying for 1 email list, not a few.

Auto reponders are good to send out a series of messages, like an ecourse, or a welcome that lasts 7 emails over a month or two. You may or may not have the capability to set up unlimited autoresponders so if this is what you want, check with the company.

Before purchasing ANY program that you put onto your website, make sure that your hosting 1) has the space for it, 2) will allow you to do that 3) tells you how many emails you can send out per hour, then deduct 100 from that number 4) you set the program to the number they give you in #3. For example, many won't allow you to send out more than 500 emails per hour and if you do, they shut down your system. OR some hosting services, like hostgator, really want you to pay $200 per month if you have elists of more than 5000 names OR you can only send out to lists of 900 or more after 1am in the morning!

No matter what program you choose, set aside a few hours (2-3) to learn how to use it to it's max.

  • Choose the right ezine mailing system for you. Free ebook download 8 Categories: Choosing A Ezine Hosting Company on Right side of page check Ebooks
  • First, check with your hosting company to see if the package you have comes with this feature. Why pay extra if you have someone you can use.
  • Learn more about creating your first ezine.
  • EZINE: If you have fantastico, you have PHP List, which is free to put on your website with the click of a button (no coding). You do have to set up each ezine.
  • You use their website to send these to your clients, programs are set up for you, then you set up each list.
    • AUTORESPONDER/EZINE Get Response
    • EZINE: Aweber -- Many people use it. However, if you have a elist already, you can import it BUT no one will really be added until the double opt in. So many on the web use them for new subscribes and use a program like DADA or PHP List for their older lists. Newsletter and auto responder system
    • EZINE/AUTO RESPONDER/SHOPPING CART/AFFILIATE PROGRAMCartville
    • AUTORESPONDER/EZINE Free auto bot
    • AUTORESONDER/EZINE List Mail Pro
  • These are hosting on your website and you configure them (change some of the code) to adapt to your website. The companies don't charge much ($50 to $75) to set it up for you, and I HIGHLY recommend it. Even I did it that way. NOTE: get the rules regarding emails from your hosting company BEFORE you purchase any system like this to put on your website. I've had to change hosting companies to accommodate a small list of 900 people because the hosting company "HAD IT'S RULES"
    • Auto Responder Plus You Own It Have them set it up for you AND before you purchase
    • EZINE: DADA Very good and easy to learn free program I used for years + they will install for $
    • EZINE: Free PHP ListFree + they will install for $
    • EZINE/AUTORESPONDER/SHOPPING CART
  • Looking for quality email newsletters? Try the EzineXchange! And if you're a publisher it will help build your subscription list for free! http://ezinexchange.com/index.html?m=49792226
  • List your ezine inThe Ezine DOT Net Directory of Ezines and Newsletters
  • Check your ezine free - for spam words and content now

Link Checkers

  • Free Link Checker for your web site. I use Xenu And I should use it more often!

Misc. Resources

Generate Forms and Assessments

Calendars

Bulletin Boards/Forums

Many of these are free to use. If you don't know what a forum is, click here to view ours here.

Membership Sites

Blogs

Search Engine Optimization Marketing Resources

Enjoy the following list of resources that I've compiled over the years. If you have a problem with any company I recommend, please let me know and I'll remove them - pronto.

Note: each page on your site needs keywords in your titles. It doesn't hurt to create meta tags for keywords and the description, too. While some search engines don't use them, others do.

Information - your key to knowledge!


Search Engines For YOUR Site

Free OR Low Cost Submission Programs

To cut down on SPAM, use an e-mail address to register that is free, too.


Top Search Engines


        Top of Page   A butterfly-shaped bullet

Search Engine Software Programs

You pay to purchase these programs, they offer you suggestions, and they keep up with search engine rules. Read the directions and follow them wisely. Using such services more than they recommend, can cause your site to not be approved for searches.

Clickalizer Testing System

Explode your online business with the best testing, tracking, self-tweaking, split-testing, reporting, pay-per-click tracking, and analysis machine available anywhere! Click here for more information on Clickalizer

Maria's Resources

  • Excellent Web Site Resources
  • Need your web site text changed? A picture or page added? Want someone to talk to BEFORE you talk to a designer? Web site analysis by someone who teaches web design and web marketing classes. Our site has been in the Top 10 at Google since 2000! ME
  • www.w3.org The ultimate authority on web sites.

Business Directory Search Engines


Free Search Engines To Submit To



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© 1998-2010 Maria Marsala & Elevating Your Business.com

Legal Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to accurately represent our products and services and their potential. Any claims made of actual earnings or examples of actual results may not apply to the average purchaser and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Results will depend on the unique skills and business of the individual and as with any business endeavor, there is an inherent risk of loss of capital and there is no guarantee that you will earn any money. Any or all guarantees that Maria provides clients is submitted first in an email, and then in writing.